Do Spouses Split the Settlement?

One of my new clients was injured in a drunk driving accident. As a lawyer practicing in midtown Atlanta and Fulton County, I hear the question she posed often. Do spouses split the settlement received from a drunk driving accident? Here’s the answer.

Pain and suffering is not shared. A personal injury settlement includes payment for medical bills as well as pain and suffering (which includes damages for things like anxiety, shock, worry, physical pain and bodily impairments). The pain and suffering claim is considered personal to the injured person. As such, it is not shared with that person’s spouse.

One of my new clients was injured in a drunk driving accident. As a lawyer practicing in midtown Atlanta and Fulton County, I hear the question she posed often. Do spouses split the settlement received from a drunk driving accident? Here’s the answer.

Pain and suffering is not shared. A personal injury settlement includes payment for medical bills as well as pain and suffering (which includes damages for things like anxiety, shock, worry, physical pain and bodily impairments). The pain and suffering claim is considered personal to the injured person. As such, it is not shared with that person’s spouse